Ex-Ill. Gov. Ryan's conviction upheld: UPDATED

"Having been there -- I repeat, having been there -- I do not wish jail for any person." Former Ill. Governor Dan Walker, discussing last year's conviction of George Ryan.

Barring an unlikely turn of events, George H. Ryan, a Kankakee Republican who was Illinois' governor from 1999 to 2003, will be heading to federal prison soon for various corruption and racketeering charges. An appeals court upheld his conviction today.

Best known outside the Land of Lincoln for his 2003 emptying of Illinois' death row, Ryan's reputation here is that of disgrace.

UPDATE 7:15PM CDT: Late this afternoon, Governor Ryan's lawyers convinced a federal court to allow Ryan to remain free while he appeals today's ruling. This afternoon it appeared that the longtime Republican lawmaker would have to surrender himself to authorities on Friday.

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